Page 41 of Once A Crime Lord

“Rafael was killed a couple of days before Manny.”

“What makes you think it was the crime lord?”

“He likes knives,” Paul said, eyes gleaming. “I hear you know something about that.”

Her chest scars tingled. “And Gavin knows this?”

“Pyre thought Rafael had taken over. That’s why he showed up in my office,” Paul said.

“He shot you in your office?”

“That’s Pyre for you.”

Gavin did this when she was pregnant with Nora, she realized. “Did the crime lord kill anyone else besides Rafael and Manny?”

“A bunch of mutilated bodies turned up around the city, but no one of note. I think he got a taste of blood and liked it,” Paul said.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Vega?”

Blade walked into the room, pocketing his phone. His hand was on the butt of his gun. Steven held up one hand in surrender while Paul sneered.

“If it isn’t the mighty Blade, Pyre’s sidekick,” Paul said.

“I’m Lyla’s bodyguard now.” Blade’s eyes shifted back and forth between the two men, and a glint of amusement lit his eyes. “Looks like you two had a run-in with some sort of criminal. Someone I know?”

Paul bared his teeth. “I hope someone guts him.”

Blade focused on her. “Let’s go.”

She didn’t argue. She didn’t say a thing to Paul or Steven as she walked out.

“What the hell were you doing?” Blade snapped.

She jolted. “What?”

“The Vega’s are sick fucks.”

“I didn’t know that.”

He shook his head. “If Gavin finds out they’re here, he might finish them off. He isn’t in a good mood.”

“Is it because he killed that drug lord?”

He glanced back at the hospital room. “Fuck.”

“Did Gavin really kill him?”

Blade clasped his hands behind his back. “You should talk to him about this.”

“Paul said Gavin is responsible for their injuries.”

“That’s also something you should discuss with him.”

She opened her mouth to argue when Alice ran toward her.

“Do you hear that?” Alice exclaimed.

Alice grasped her arm and raced down the corridor as enthusiastically as a five-year-old. She was glad she hadn’t worn ridiculous heels like Carmen so she could keep up. On the lawn, Mariah Gearthart sang acapella. Patients, visitors, and medical staff opened windows or made their way outside so they could listen to her angelic voice. Alice led her to the front of the crowd and put her arm around an older woman and began to sway. Alice got the whole crowd going. Mariah sang several songs before she bowed. Everyone clapped and rushed forward to take pictures with her.

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